L looked up, her once bright eyes filled with a much more subdued emotion.


    For convenience, she wore a light-colored sweater and wide-legged pants with a long ck coat. The energetic her now looked somewhat listless, her mood weighing her down.


    "Michael came to ask me for help. He hoped I could beg you to let Shannon go. I agreed, but now I regret it.


    "Shannon hurt me. I can choose not to hold a grudge, but why should I forgive her for all the others she''s hurt?


    "Yes, I went back on my word. I''m despicable-I don''t want to help Shannon." She took a step back, her voice growing more frantic as she spoke, bing more agitated.


    L gave him a bitter smile. "Kieran, you must think I''m a bad person, too."


    She could have refused, but she agreed and failed to follow through. She lowered her eyes, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. She understood her bond with Michael but couldn''t bring herself to plead for Shannon.


    Kieran would not act without principle, nor would he bend thew for personal reasons. Whatever punishment Shannon deserved, she had earned it.


    "I was wrong." His deep voice reached her ears, and she looked up in shock and confusion.


    He continued, "I''ve always seen you as a child, but I''ve overlooked that you have long be an adult who knows right from wrong."


    How could she be despicable? Kieran looked down at her beautiful and delicate face. He had been so focused on wanting her to voice her needs that he hadn''t realized that, sometimes, it was right for her to remain silent.


    She had no right to forgive the one who had hurt others on behalf of those affected.


    Thew existed to provide fair protection and punishment for everyone.


    L looked at him, her gaze flickering with a hint of grievance. In the afternoon, she had been distracted, overwhelmed by guilt and self-loathing.


    She had broken her promise and felt despicable. The weight of it almost made it hard for her to breathe.


    Kieran raised his hand and pulled her into his embrace, gently patting her back. "How could you be despicable? You did the right thing."


    She slowly calmed herself in his embrace. The two continued walking side by side, and as they reached the door, L''s phone rang.


    It was a video call from Amelie. After picking up, L noticed that Nicole was also on the line.


    "Grandma, Aunt Nicole, why aren''t you both asleep at this hour?"


    Without realizing it, her tone


    softened. It was as if she were


    daughter who liked to act


    calling her mother, sounding like


    coquettish.


    "We''ve enquired about a suitable wedding date, and your grandma was afraid she might forget, so she called to tell you."


    L froze in ce as she was changing her shoes. She nced hurriedly at Kieran.


    "L? Can you hear me?" Nicole thought the video hadgged.


    "I''m here, Aunt Nicole. I''m here." L hurriedly responded.


    "Kieran is there, too, right?" Nicole asked, noticing a sliver of his clothes in the background.


    L quickly shoved the phone into Kieran''s hands as if handing him a hot potato.


    She replied sweetly, "Yes, Uncle Kieran is here, too."


    Upon seeing the man suddenly appear in the video, Nicole couldn''t help but admire his handsome features


    The Morgan family had


    good genes, and white Nicole was


    also beautiful, Noah resembled the Morgans more.


    Together with Kieran, many would probably think they were biological brothers.


    "Hello, Nicole," Kieran greeted her gently.


    "The date of your registration is November 7th of this year. The astrologer said it''s a good day."


    On the other end of the video,


    graceful manner made her see


    Nicole''s gentle expression and


    even more elegant and dignified in


    her well-fitted silk gown.


    Time could never diminish beauty.


    L had already walked a step ahead but could still clearly hear the words.